Chapter 15
MALIA
I’ve offered up zero brilliance for Senator Card. In fact, she’s probably wondering how I even got the top job at Vire. I’m so distracted by what Caleb might be thinking, I can barely pay attention to her words.
I take a deep breath and pull up some polite, professional words.
“Senator Card,” I break in to something she was saying about how tech isn’t going away and we need to define its roles in governing early or redefine some things that are already set.
She looks surprised at the interruption but stops talking.
“I’ll be honest. I’m having a hard time focusing in this environment.
It’s not the best place for a discussion like this.
” I temper my expression with a little bit of apology, but I let the rebuke stand, even when her surprise deepens and she clenches her jaw.
She shouldn’t have ambushed me at the wedding, and for as much as she’s touting wanting strong female voices in decisions like this, she’s treating this like I’m the one who should be honored she’s asked.
“Oh,” she says and gives a light laugh. “I guess I’ve gotten used to multitasking.”
I shrug. “I find I’m more efficient when I’m not dividing my attention.
” I stand and open my clutch, pulling a card from it and handing it over.
“Have your staff set up a call with me next week. I’ll let my assistant know to save some time for it.
” I reach out to shake her hand after I’ve given her the card, and she takes it, still looking bewildered.
“Okay.” She tucks the card into the pocket of the shimmery blazer she’s wearing with her matching flowing wide-leg pants.
The outfit is pale pink, in keeping with the wedding colors, and is a fabulous ensemble, to be honest. She keeps her professional power vibe with a romantic, soft touch.
“It was lovely to meet you, Malia,” she says with a polished smile.
“And you as well.” I stride away. I need to go find Caleb.
It’s time to put on my own metaphorical power suit to remind him that what I do doesn’t matter.
I have a part in the blame for this by purposefully being vague about my job because of his issues with his mom, but I’m not letting go of a great relationship because of it.
If Lucy in While You Were Sleeping can tell the truth when it threatens to ruin her relationship with the one she loves, I can do it with much smaller stakes.
I pause before I make my way outside to collect myself. I also text my sister.
Malia
Caleb found out I’m CEO of Vire and I think he’s freaking out.
Skye
How did he find out?
Malia
A senator here at the wedding asked to talk with me about a data privacy law, and she mentioned it was because I was CEO of a big tech firm.
My phone rings immediately.
“Malia,” Skye cries. “A state senator?”
I frown and roll my eyes. I want to go find Caleb, not have yet another conversation with my sister about my job. “A U.S. senator. Gina Card, from Texas.”
“You.” Skye’s voice is incredulous.
“Skye.” I use the same tone as she does. “I am the CEO of Vire Gaming, which is a subsidiary of Northline Holdings, a billion-dollar technology corporation, like second-tier Google.”
There’s stunned silence on the other end of the line.
“Skye!” I repeat. “How do you not know this? Have you ever bothered to search about Vire when you were doubting whether I had a good enough job?”
“I thought it was like a startup or something, like that one you worked for after college.” Her voice is strangled.
I bark a laugh. I had to share an apartment with, like, six other women because my salary was so laughable.
“When I searched it, it said it was a gaming studio, Malia,” she protests, defending herself.
“That sounded small. And Northline Holdings sounds like a shady investment group, to be honest. Holy—” She cuts herself off, and I swallow a laugh.
This is actually quite satisfying. “Sis, are you like the female Steve Jobs?”
“Not quite,” I say. “A few steps down. But still a pretty big deal.”
“So,” she says, drawing out the word. “Next time you head to some all-inclusive in the Caribbean, can I come …?”
“Absolutely. But also, Caleb. Remember.”
She scoffs. “You know what to do, Boss Lady. You clearly, clearly do not need me trying to run your life.”
“That’s true. I’ll call you later?”
“You better.” She hangs up on me, leaving me to go and find Caleb. I nod decidedly to myself.
Caleb is standing at the side door he left through earlier, reaching up to pull it open when I push through.
“Oh, hi,” he says, dropping his hand. His apprehensive expression actually reassures me.
It’s not the panicky forced smile from when he left me with Senator Card earlier.
“I was just coming in to see if you’re ready for that walk?
” There’s a note of apology in his tone, and my insides relax.
“I would love to.” Boss Lady Malia has left the building. Malia with a massive crush is fully back. Except I do reach out and take Caleb’s hand very purposefully.
“So, CEO?” he says as we head down a path away from the restaurant. We can still hear music in the background, which has switched to another slower, romantic song. It sets the tone for our walk beautifully. Thank you, Mr. DJ.
“I should’ve told you. It’s not like I’m embarrassed.” I turn my head to look up at him as we walk.
He lets out a half sigh, half laugh. “It’s not like I didn’t have strong opinions on the CEOs my mom was trying to set me up with.
I get it.” We walk under the shade of a giant oak tree, and Caleb stops, turning to me.
“I did freak out for a second. I was surprised. I second-guessed myself. But then I realized how stupid it was. I didn’t like my mom setting me up with women like you because it meant I wasn’t enough.
Choosing you myself? That was a stroke of brilliance.
” He cups my cheek with his free hand, letting his fingers brush the back of my neck.
Everything in me stills. There’s no one around to play to. And even though we left that behind on the dance floor, it still feels good to know there’s absolutely no reason to pretend right now. Sparks crackle from Caleb’s fingertips, lighting tiny fires all through me.
“I think it’s fair to say that I chose you,” I reply in a soft voice, leaning in closer. “I’ve had a crush on you for months. I agreed to go on this date with you to make my move.”
“Excellent strategist,” he murmurs, his lips hovering over mine. “Not surprised at all.”
Then our lips meet.
His lips are soft as he slowly and tenderly kisses me.
Then he drops his hand from my face and lets go of the hand he was holding to wrap his arms around me and pull me securely against him.
He tastes like the raspberry chocolate cheesecake we both had for dessert.
I press into him, sliding my hands around his waist and up his back.
Every moment Caleb and I have had since the restaurant where we came up with our rules for this fake relationship has been full of very real sparks. Every touch, even for an audience, has been layered with real fire inside of me.
But this?
This is real real.
This is not for anyone but us.
He pulls away and stares at me. He studies my eyes, then his gaze trails over my cheeks and back to my lips.
He draws in a ragged breath and releases me, taking my hand to pull me off the path and to the base of the enormous tree.
I can’t help the giggle that rises up as he places me with my back against the rough trunk and cages me in, his hands on either side of my shoulders, leaning over me.
“It looks like you’re leaning,” I whisper.
“Leaning?” he repeats.
I shrug. “Another movie you need to add to the list.”
“If you promise to watch it with me,” he says, his voice husky.
“Wouldn’t have it any other way.”
He studies me, his stare more intoxicating than anything I’ve ever experienced. He looks at me like I am the most impressive piece of art he’s ever seen—but no, not art. Not Caleb. I am intense, realistic, gorgeous graphics on the best gaming monitors there are.
“Mmmm?” I can’t form words. His adoration has stolen my breath.
“Will you go out with me tomorrow night?” he asks.
“Yes.”
“The next night?”
“Yes.”
“Every night?”
“Yes.”
He drops his hands to my hips and pulls me back to him, crashing his mouth against mine, this time with passion that is electrifying. I clutch at the lapels of his suit coat, holding myself to him. I could kiss him forever.
When he pulls away from me again, just a fraction, he murmurs, “About this fake girlfriend thing.”
“Are we having another relationship talk? So soon?” I tease. I lean up and kiss one corner of his lips.
“I’d like to drop the fake part.” He kisses along my jaw, and I melt further into him.
“Just like that?” The words are barely audible. Caleb has turned me into a puddle.
He answers by moving his mouth to mine again.
Caleb
I have a confession to make.
Malia was indeed my fake girlfriend meant to keep Mom from trying to set me up all weekend.
But Malia is no longer my fake anything.
Just so you guys know.
Devin
Yeah, making out does wonders for fake relationships.
So I hear.
Caleb
You were spying on me?? Again?
You guys have GOT to get lives of your own.
Jett
Nah, bro. You had lipstick all over your face when you came back in. You should get that taken care of.
Law
Caleb
Not even really that embarrassed, tbh